AP Interview: Branstad will unveil preschool plan

Gov. Terry Branstad said he'll unveil plans on Monday for his $43 million preschool program that will offer scholarships to low-income families but require all parents to pay something if they enroll their children in public or private schools.

In an interview with The Associated Press, the Republican governor said his plan would offer scholarships on a sliding scale based on income. He's proposed replacing the current $90 million-a-year program that made preschool available to all 4-year-olds with the scholarship program, which would let parents enroll in religious schools or other private programs as well as public schools.

Branstad said the state can't afford the current program at a time when Iowa faces a shortfall and the governor and Republican legislators are looking to reduce business taxes.

"Our approach is we want to see preschool, but we want to do something that is affordable, that is accountable and that is sustainable for the long term and one that is targeted to the people who most need it," said Branstad. "It is the middle ground between all or nothing."

Although some lawmakers have questioned the value of preschool, Branstad said he's convinced such programs benefit children. It's the cost that leave him concerned, Branstad said.

Specifics about the program, including how much money the state would provide and how it would be provided to parents, will be released later, Branstad said.

"We're going to provide scholarships and it will be on a sliding scale basis, depending on the financial condition of the family," said Branstad. "We want to make it as simple and as easy to access as possible."

The program's ultimate look also may change as the Legislature deals with the issue. Although the House, which is controlled by Republicans, has already approved a measure that eliminates state-funded preschool, Democrats who hold a Senate majority have said they will fight to retain the current program.

Besides reducing state spending, Branstad wants to end a current requirement that preschool teachers be state-certified.

"Just because you're a certified teacher doesn't necessarily assure the quality of the program," Branstad said. "We're saying that's one route, having a certified teacher. Another might be some other criteria that you may have."

Branstad said those details are still being worked out, but it's possible instructors could qualify if they had a four-year degree but were not certified teachers, or if they had a two-year degree but were working toward a four-year degree.

However it's resolved, Branstad said he would insist on quality in the preschool programs.

"They would need to meet certain criteria in terms of quality," he said.

Branstad said he would unveil his proposal at a news conference Monday.

State funding should be only a portion of the support for preschool, said Branstad, who spent a lot of time raising money as president of Des Moines University in the years following his earlier four-term stint as governor from 1983 to 1999.

"There are companies and nonprofits and foundations," said Branstad. "We are hoping that can be augmented by other groups. I think there is a lot of support in the business community to provide financial support."

However that funding is resolved, Branstad said he would push to require every family to contribute something.

"Even the lowest-income families can contribute $10 a month or something like that," said Branstad. "Then they feel some ownership, they're making some kind of contribution to it."